A new report shows significant progress in efforts to reduce smog and soot pollution in California. California cities continue to top the list as most polluted in the nation.

The American Lung Association "State of the Air" report shows
California is home to seven of the top 10 most ozone-polluted
cities in the nation, with Los Angles topping the list.

Bakersfield and Merced are tied for having the most soot
pollution.

But this year's report also shows improvement in air
quality.

California had fewer unhealthy ozone days since the Lung
Association began their report 14 years ago.

"If you look at the snapshot, it reminds us that we have very
profound air pollution problems and the public's health is very
seriously affected," says Bonnie Holms-Gen, with the American Lung
Association in California.

"If we look at the trends over time, we see we've made a lot of
progress."

Nearly 90-percent of Californians live in counties with
unhealthy air, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley, Los Angeles,
Sacramento and the Inland Empire.